WE WANT THE AIRWAVES: The WFNX Story

On the second anniversary of Boston's 101.7FM WFNX alternative rock radio station going off the air, independent filmmaker Jason Steeves releases his 1:25 documentary of the rise and fall of the legendary media outlet, for free on Vimeo.

It will always be Hazy. Hot. And Henry in our hearts.

WE WANT THE AIRWAVES: The WFNX Story from Jason Steeves on Vimeo 

Originally posted on Vanyaland.

Now Hear This - You're Not A Starfish, Wear Ear Plugs

Bishop And Rook will be offering free ear plugs during Night #1 of the Rock 'N' Roll Rumble!

Fun fact: Most starfish can regenerate damaged limbs. All humans cannot regenerate damaged hearing.

Studies have shown that the decibel level of a loud rock concert registers at approximately 120dB. The maximum exposure to 120dB of sound without ear protection is a whopping 15 minutes a day before you risk damaging your ear tissue, leading to permanent hearing loss. (The average rock concert runs around 240 minutes.) That’s just a scooch below the loudest recommended exposure WITH hearing protection (at 140dB).

Visit the Rebuilder merch table during Night #1 of the Rock 'N' Roll Rumble for a free pair of ear plugs (while supplies last), complimentary of Bishop And Rook music blog.

Second Night Added to “Boston Punk Supports the Lieutenant Walsh - Firefighter Kennedy Memorial Fund”

Tickets for Night #2 at The Sinclair go on sale April 3rd at noon.

Due to an overwhelming demand resulting in a sold out Great Scott show in less than 24 hours after ticket sales went live (we called that), a second night has been added on April 23rd, at The Sinclair in Harvard Square. Tickets will go on sale on Thursday, April 3rd at noon EST. All tickets for this 18+ event will be $35.

The April 23rd show will feature performances by The Street Dogs, Ducky Boys, Slap Shot, Old Edison and the resurrection of Avoid One Thing, formed by Joe Gittleman of the Mighty Mighty Bosstones in the early 2000's. The band released two albums on Side One Dummy before going on "permanent hiatus" in 2004. One of their most notable songs was "Lean On Sheena" from their 2002 self-titled album, which was eventually covered by The Bouncing Souls on their 2006 The Gold Record.

Visit the Facebook event page for additional updates.

Purchase tickets (on sale April 3rd at noon).

Boston Punk Supports the Lieutenant Walsh - Firefighter Kennedy Memorial Fund

Boston punk community comes together to remember fallen brothers (image credit)

Promoter, Bowery Boston, with the help of Ladder 14, Engine 41 Firefighters and long-time Boston punk, Mark Lind (Ducky Boys), have organized the most generous offering to come out of the punk community this year with "Boston Punk Supports the Lieutenant Walsh - Firefighter Kennedy Memorial Fund" (administered by the Boston Firefighter's Credit Union), a night to honor the fallen servicemen of the March 26th 9-alarm fire on Beacon Street in Cambridge, MA.

VIP Tickets go on sale Tuesday, April 1st at Noon!
General Admission Tickets go on sale Thursday, April 3rd at Noon!

**UPDATE** Due to overwhelming demand, a second night has been added April 23rd at The Sinclair. Tickets go on sale Thursday April 3rd at Noon. Details here.

Punks with Hearts - New England Basement Records Release Catz Bop Vol. 1

32 New England Bands, one cause. Proceeds benefit the Human Society of Nashu, NH

New England musicians use their power for good when it comes to karma-infused causes. From the This Is New England - A 100% Benefit Compilation allocating proceeds between brain cancer research and The One Fund, to the Boston Does Boston 3 night, 2 CD comp benefiting the Animal Rescue League of Boston, local musicians prove their interests spread beyond cheap beer and record collections. 

A Letter From The Editor

This week I said "goodbye" to one of my biggest musical influences. I contribute a lot of my passion for music towards the impact my dad had on me. Without him, I would not have had the motivation to start Bishop And Rook. And without music, I would not have been able to connect with him on such a deep and meaningful level. I am a music lover, a record collector, and a fan who went beyond the Top 40. Just like my dad.

-Kristin

Keep the Boston Compass Alive

For $2 a month, you can help keep the Boston Compass alive.

The relatively viral and low cost nature of the internets may have snuffed out the Zine Era, but in true Boston underdog fashion, independent music newspaper, The Boston Compass (a monthly newspaper navigating you to underground, above ground and all around awesome happenings in the Greater Boston area), continues to supply the masses with local music news and events. However, tied to a shoestring budget, the Compass needs your help.

TT the Bear's Holiday Party and Anngelle Wood's 2nd Annual Gift Drive

Head to TT's on December 17th for local music and holiday fun!

Join Boston Emissions and the fine folks at your favorite neighborhood music venue for TT the Bear's Holiday Party and Annegelle Wood's 2nd Annual Spectacular Gift Drive on December 17th! The evening features performances by Corin Ashley (8p), Butterknife (8:30p), Ad Frank (9p), The Derangers (9:30), Aquanutz (10p), Sinnet (10:30p), 3/4 of Scamper (11p), Mike the Considerate and the Interns (11:30p), a Secret Holiday Themed Guest and more to be announced. For additional information on this free event, please visit the official Facebook event page.

Bring a new, unwrapped gift for a child of any age - toys, electronics, clothing, winter coats/hats/gloves, gift cards are all accepted. Donations go towards the DCF Kids Fund. The DCF Kids Fund was established in 1998 to supply emergency items such as diapers, hot meals, warm clothes, or a new toothbrush to abused and neglected children entering the care of the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families. Monetary donations can also be made directly on the DCFKidsFund.com website.

Anngelle will also be accepting donations during the December 14th Indie Rock Ranger Holiday Spectacular at The Middle East Downstairs.

Boston Does Boston Vols. 1&2 – To Benefit The Animal Rescue League of Boston

26 record songs, 16 live bands, 3 nights, 2 venues, 1 cause.

Boston Does Boston is a startup benefit series, where diverse musicians and bands of the local music scene re-interpret each other's material for charity CDs and live events. All sales and ticket proceeds to benefit the Animal Rescue League of Boston. If you haven’t heard Sarah Rabdau & Self-Employed Assassins cover Dead Cats Dead Rats’ “No God in Massachusetts”, then you haven’t lived yet.

Pie in the Sky 2013

Thanksgiving just got a lot sweeter with Pie in the Sky

Each November since 1993, Boston's best restaurants, bakeries, caterers and hotels donate thousands of pies that over 600 volunteers then sell to family, friends and colleagues. Each pie costs $25, providing a week's worth of hearty home-delivered meals to a Community Servings' client and a tasty Thanksgiving treat to the buyer. This Thanksgiving, purchase a pie from Pie in the Sky and $.93 of every $1.00 goes directly to feeding Community Servings' clients.

Choose from apple, pecan, pumpkin, sweet potato, diabetic apple. Have a pie donated to a Community Servings’ client or donate additional cash. The last day to purchase a pie is November 23rd, but you can donate to Pie in the Sky anytime.

Purchase a pie today!

Community Servings, based in Jamaica Plain, is a not-for-profit food and nutrition program providing services throughout Massachusetts to individuals and families living with critical and chronic illnesses. Community Servings delivers 395,000 free, home-style meals to about 1,300 people per year, who are too sick to cook for themselves or their families

The Welch Boys Present the 5th Annual Ron Holbrook Memorial Pine Street Inn Benefit Shows

Two days of hardcore punk for charity

The 5th Annual Ron Holbrook Memorial / Pine Street Inn Benefit Show happens this Saturday (11/16) and Sunday (11/17) at Great Scott in Allston.

After a year off, this annual 2-day event is back and ready to rock. All proceeds will be donated to the Pine Street Inn, a non-profit through which neighbors and friends can help to meet the basic needs of others; and to serve as a national leader in the fight to end homelessness. The shows are performed in memory of The Welsh Boys' former drummer, Ron Holbrook, who passed away in 2007.

Night 1 is 21+ and Night 2 is 18+. Both shows are $15. For additional show info include full lineup and links to advanced ticket ordering, please visit the official Facebook event page.

Clicky Clicky Music Presents a Local Benefit Show

Clicky Clicky Music Benefit Show at TT's November 3rd (flyer designed by Matt Klimas)

Community Servings, based in Jamaica Plain, is a not-for-profit food and nutrition program providing services throughout Massachusetts to individuals and families living with critical and chronic illnesses. Community Servings delivers 395,000 free, home-style meals to about 1,300 people per year, who are too sick to cook for themselves or their families. Come out to a show and support this awesome cause.

Crash Safely - 4 Nights. 3 Venues. 2 Weekends. 1 Cause

The 3rd Annual Crash Safely promotes awareness of MS and local music

Crash Safely is a four-night event in September that raises money for the National MS Society. Crash Safely, now in its third year, is led by Boston rock writer and videographer Amanda Nichols and Figgs drummer Pete Hayes (both of whom were diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2008) of the Maybe Sump’ms bikeMS team, with support from Nick Blakey, Boston musician and booking agent. 

The events will feature some of Boston’s best performers, all of whom MS has touched in some way. 

Punk 'N' Roll BBQ Fundraiser

Boston punk rock show and fundraising event

Local Boston music blog, Boston Bloghead, presents the 1st Annual Punk ‘N’ Roll BBQ, happening August 4th at O’Brien’s Pub, Allston. The event, which kicks off at 3pm, will feature nine local bands including Dead Cats Dead Rats, A Minor Revolution, The Darker Hues and Cult 45. A portion of the ticket proceeds will go to Rawk Stars, Inc., a non-profit organization that designs and sustains programs in order to foster opportunity and develop life skills for kids through music education, creation and participation.

Ticket price includes free BBQ food and is $12 in advance / $15 at doors. This show is 21+. Come out and support local music and important music-centric organizations such as Rawk Stars Inc.

Full event details, including set times.

TT The Bear's Cancels Boyd Rice Show...Puts on Benefit Show for Rosie's Place

Local venue cancels show, replaces with benefit show

Vanyaland.com reported on Wednesday, June 26th, that TT The Bear's canceled Friday’s sold-out Cold Cave show. “The Central Square venue’s management have [sic] raised questions and concerns over the opening act, controversial noise artist Boyd Rice.” Rice, who has been associated with Nazi and Satanic groups, has also spoken out against women’s rights.

In an interview with now defunct Misanthrope Magazine, Rice stated, “I don't think women deserve the same rights as men. I don't think women are on an equal footing with men. I think they're totally different creatures. I think the world operated better when they had less say over how the way things went, had less control.”

Canceled Boyd Rice shows have been trending across the country as many venues recognize the contentious nature and potential hazard of hosting such an individual.

On Thursday, June 27th, TT The Bear’s announced that they will be replacing the canceled show with a Benefit show for Rosie’s Place (a Boston sanctuary for poor and homeless women), featuring The Luxury, Cult 45 and Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling. Support local music and local charity this Friday, June 28th, 8:30pm. No set cover - pay what you can at the door.

This Is New England - A 100% Benefit Compilation

New England bands come together to create a compilation
to benefit brain cancer research and the One Fund.

Earlier this year, Jeff Bernoth, guitarist for Boston punk band, Yo Ticonderoga, lost his mother to brain cancer. During his last few months with her, Bernoth recounts, “[My Mom's] memory got worse and worse, and her language was very limited, but curiously she was able to sing songs she knew from beginning to end.” While working on a project to benefit brain cancer research, the unfortunate events of the Boston Marathon occurred, and in an effort to focus on something positive, This Is New England was created.

This Is New England is a benefit compilation featuring a stacked representation of local punk and ska bands. Every last penny raised from it will be split between the One Fund and the American Brain Tumor Association.

Stream/Buy This Is New England: A 100% Benefit Comp on Bandcamp today.

The bands on the compilation include:

Big D and The Kids Table, Billy Raygun, Borderlines, Brunt Of It, ChokeUp, The Fake Boys, Great Lakes USA, Have Nots, Mr Fahrenheit, The New Warden, Opposition Rising, Poison Ivy League, Peeple Watchin', The Pomps, The Prozacs, Stray Bullets, Trophy Lungs, Weak Teeth, Yale Massachusetts, Yo Ticonderoga.

Rock Out With Your Cocktail Out Vol. XI

Rock Out With Your (Memorial) Cocktail Out this May.

Boston native and current Denver, Colorado bartender, Matty Durgin, is creating a memorial cocktail effort for those who lost their lives during the events surrounding Boston Marathon Bombings. The effort is called the "Ward 8 Gesture." Durgin states, "I'm inviting bars all over the country to set aside a few hours to serve Ward 8s (a classic cocktail that originated in Boston) to remember the innocent people who were harmed, the scores of emergency, support, and military staff that descended on Boston to help those in need." Read the original story the Denver Westword Blog. So let's support his cause by drinking a Ward 8 and listening to some good music.

Drink up, it's for a good cause.
Ward 8 cocktails. (image credit)

To New York from Boston With Love - Dropkick Murphys Relief Convoy

When the opportunity arose to drive to New York with the Dropkick Murphys Claddaugh Fund hurricane relief team, there was no possible way to say no. How can you say no to that? On Friday, November 9, 2012, I jumped on the DKM relief convoy and headed to two Hurricane Sandy major disaster areas.